Kia unveils its new pickup called the Tasman: Will it be able to beat the Ford Ranger?

Kia is poised to make a strong entry into the competitive pickup segment with the launch of the Kia Tasman, a vehicle designed specifically to meet the demands of the Southeast Asian market, Australia and possibly Europe, although it is unlikely to reach the United States due to high import tariffs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCFsRymGWNY

The Kia Tasman is set to arrive with a four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 2.2 litres, with a possible option of a V6 engine. The brand has wanted to raise expectations with the launch of a documentary series, “One More Round“, which takes us deep into the development of the Tasman. A series that documents more than 18,000 tests in different weather conditions, such as the harsh Australian outback. The 30-second preview is already available, and the full episode will be released on 22 July.

Over the last two decades, Kia has constantly expanded its model range and has seen a rise in sales, despite not competing in the pickup segment. That will change very soon with the launch of the Kia Tasman, which will face well-established competitors such as the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger.

Architecture and 2.2L engine

The Tasman will probably be based on the same body-on-frame architecture as the second-generation Mohave SUV. Most versions will feature the 2.2-litre four-cylinder CRDi engine, which is also found in the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe, delivering 199 CV and 441 Nm.

Recently, Kia was spotted testing the Tasman alongside a Ford Ranger Raptor in Sweden, which has fuelled speculation about a high-performance version under development. Kia could opt for the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine or the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel for this version.

Expected markets, including Europe

The Southeast Asia and Australia will be the key markets for the Kia Tasman, with a high probability that it will also be sold in Europe. However, its arrival in the United States is unlikely due to the 25% tariffs on imported vehicles built abroad.